Luke 23:20
New International Version
Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again.

New Living Translation
Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus.

English Standard Version
Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus,

Berean Standard Bible
Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore Pilate, wishing to release Jesus, called to them again.

King James Bible
Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

New King James Version
Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them.

New American Standard Bible
But Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,

NASB 1995
Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,

NASB 1977
And Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,

Legacy Standard Bible
But again Pilate addressed them, wanting to release Jesus,

Amplified Bible
Pilate addressed them again, wanting to release Jesus,

Christian Standard Bible
Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,

American Standard Version
And Pilate spake unto them again, desiring to release Jesus;

Contemporary English Version
Pilate wanted to set Jesus free, so he spoke again to the crowds.

English Revised Version
And Pilate spake unto them again, desiring to release Jesus;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But because Pilate wanted to free Jesus, he spoke to the people again.

Good News Translation
Pilate wanted to set Jesus free, so he appealed to the crowd again.

International Standard Version
But Pilate wanted to let Jesus go, so he appealed to them again,

Majority Standard Bible
Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,

NET Bible
Pilate addressed them once again because he wanted to release Jesus.

New Heart English Bible
Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus,

Webster's Bible Translation
Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spoke again to them.

Weymouth New Testament
But Pilate once more addressed them, wishing to set Jesus free.

World English Bible
Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Pilate again then—wishing to release Jesus—called to them,

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore Pilate, wishing to release Jesus, called to them again.

Young's Literal Translation
Pilate again then -- wishing to release Jesus -- called to them,

Smith's Literal Translation
Again Pilate called, wishing to loose Jesus.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus.

New American Bible
Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus,

New Revised Standard Version
Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Again Pilate spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Pilate spoke with them again as he wanted to release Yeshua.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Therefore Pilate, desiring to release Jesus, again called to them.

Godbey New Testament
Then Pilate again called to them, wishing to release Jesus.

Haweis New Testament
Again therefore Pilate called out to them, desirous to see Jesus at liberty.

Mace New Testament
Pilate therefore, desirous to release Jesus, expostulated with them again.

Weymouth New Testament
But Pilate once more addressed them, wishing to set Jesus free.

Worrell New Testament
And again Pilate called to them, wishing to release Jesus.

Worsley New Testament
Pilate therefore spake to them again, being desirous to release Jesus.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
19(Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”…

Cross References
Matthew 27:22-23
“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!” / “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

Mark 15:12-14
So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?” / And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!” / “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

John 19:12-15
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” ...

Acts 3:13-15
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him. / You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. / You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of this fact.

Isaiah 53:3-7
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. ...

Psalm 22:6-8
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. / All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: / “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.”

Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

John 18:38-40
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him. / But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” / “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)

Acts 13:27-28
The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. / And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.

Matthew 27:17-18
So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” / For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

Mark 15:9-11
“Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked. / For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. / But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.

John 18:39-40
But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” / “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)

1 Peter 2:22-24
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” / When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. / He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

Psalm 69:4
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.

Isaiah 50:6
I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.


Treasury of Scripture

Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spoke again to them.

Matthew 14:8,9
And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger…

Matthew 27:19
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

Mark 15:15
And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

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Addressed Appealed Desire Desiring Desirous Free Jesus Once Pilate Release Wanting Willing Wishing
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Addressed Appealed Desire Desiring Desirous Free Jesus Once Pilate Release Wanting Willing Wishing
Luke 23
1. Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod.
8. Herod mocks him.
12. Herod and Pilate become friends.
13. Barabbas is desired of the people,
24. and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified.
26. He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem;
34. prays for his enemies.
39. Two criminals are crucified with him.
46. His death.
50. His burial.














Wanting to release Jesus
The phrase "wanting to release Jesus" reveals Pilate's internal conflict and his desire to act justly. The Greek word for "wanting" is "θέλων" (thelōn), which implies a deliberate intention or wish. Pilate's intention to release Jesus indicates his recognition of Jesus' innocence. Historically, Roman governors like Pilate were tasked with maintaining peace and justice in their provinces. Pilate's desire to release Jesus suggests he was aware of the lack of legal grounds for Jesus' execution, highlighting the tension between his role as a just ruler and the pressure from the crowd.

Pilate
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea from AD 26 to 36. His role in the trial of Jesus is pivotal, as he represents the Roman authority that ultimately sanctioned Jesus' crucifixion. Archaeological evidence, such as the Pilate Stone discovered in Caesarea, confirms his historical existence and governance. Pilate's interactions with Jesus are marked by a series of attempts to avoid condemning an innocent man, reflecting his struggle between political expediency and moral responsibility.

addressed them again
The phrase "addressed them again" indicates Pilate's repeated efforts to communicate with the crowd. The Greek word "πάλιν" (palin) means "again" or "once more," suggesting persistence. Pilate's repeated addressing of the crowd underscores his reluctance to condemn Jesus and his attempts to reason with the people. This persistence highlights the pressure Pilate faced from the Jewish leaders and the crowd, who were demanding Jesus' crucifixion. In a broader scriptural context, this moment reflects the fulfillment of prophecy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Jesus' sacrificial death.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Wanting
θέλων (thelōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to release
ἀπολῦσαι (apolysai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 630: From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.

Jesus,
Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

Pilate
Πιλᾶτος (Pilatos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4091: Pilate. Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman.

addressed
προσεφώνησεν (prosephōnēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4377: From pros and phoneo; to sound towards, i.e. Address, exclaim, summon.

them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

again,
Πάλιν (Palin)
Adverb
Strong's 3825: Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.


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NT Gospels: Luke 23:20 Then Pilate spoke to them again wanting (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 23:19
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